Both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have similar degrees of overlap. By this, we mean that many individuals have elements of each condition, which refers to a chronic and disabling state of fatigue that is ongoing for several months. Fibromyalgia also has a component of a chronic, unrelenting pain and inflammation cycle. This cycle occurs over certain, predictable areas of the body.
The problem with traditional treatment models for fibromyalgia
Unfortunately, the conventional medical model for fibromyalgia treatment does not target the root cause of the disease. Rather, the solution takes a somewhat limited directive of symptomatic treatment. Therefore, often doctors tell patients to manage the symptoms to improve well-being. Thus, they prescribe anti-inflammatory medication for pain, mood enhancement medication to decrease melancholia (antidepressants), and other options. While these approaches are essential and helpful to maintain stability and overall functional day-to-day status, they do not, however, get at the root causes which are often multifactorial but will generally include the endocrine system, the immune system, nutritional status, etc.
Could medical history provide a clue to fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue?
Very often, the medical history of individuals with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue includes an experience of a significant cold or flu-like symptom or infection of some kind after which they never were able to recuperate back to their overall more optimal state of health. Frequently, these individuals will have laboratory evidence of chronic infections, including viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or mixed infections. In these cases, we require a more specialized, in-depth diagnostic approach. In addition, many patients will have various micronutrient deficiencies, including magnesium, zinc, potassium, and so forth. Also, endocrine dysfunction is common even in younger individuals. Almost always, patients with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue have deficiencies of growth hormone, testosterone, DHEA, and other hormones.
Our Approach:
Therefore, The Guyer Institute has found that the most successful approach to CFS and Fibromyalgia treatment is adjunctive treatment of the underlying conditions. Doing so, in a more global effort, helps to synergistically put all the pieces together. It is through this more balanced approach that an individual is able to scale to higher levels of well-being. For many people, that climb can be fairly rapid. For others who are more highly sensitive, treatment may take longer for results. However, individuals can improve dramatically across the board with this type of treatment.
